NIGERIAN NOTCH

Hon Engr. Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri, has assured members of his federal constituency of his readiness to represent them in no small measure when reelected come January 25th, 2020. He made this known in meeting when hordes of youth leaders from some wards in Okigwe North paid him a courtesy visit. Addressing the audience of the youths, journalists and well-wishers, Hon Obinna said he sought the office once more to bring government closer to his people. Flanked by over 150 youth leaders, the lawmaker said he would work to serve the people more if elected. "I seek your vote and support in this RE-RUN election to bring good governance even closer to our people. I seek your support and votes to mentor the next generation. I seek this office to galvanize my fellow elected lawmakers to make life more abundant for every Nigerian and Okigwe northerner in particular. There are so much work to be done by way of legislation in many areas of our life including but not limited to educati...

The Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede, has said the visa on arrival for holders of passports of African countries from January 2020 is to accelerate African Integration. A statement from Sunday James, the NIS Public Relations Officer, quoted Babandede as saying the decision would remove barriers hindering free movement of people within the continent. “Nigeria’s strategic decision is taken to bring down barriers that have hindered free movement of our people within the continent by introducing the visa at the point of entry into Nigeria with effect from January 2020,” he said. Babandede assured Nigerians of the service’s commitment to high professionalism in delivering its services without compromising National Security. Babandede’s statement on Dec. 11, which announced the federal government’s decision to allow Africans into Nigeria without visa from January 2020, was greeted with mixed reactions by Nigerians with many expressing fea...

The Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered the transfer of Soku oil field from Bayelsa to its rightful owner, Rivers. Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order on Monday while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by Rivers Government against the Attorney-General of Bayelsa and the Attorney-General of the Federation. Ekwo ordered the National Boundary Commission, (NBC) to rectify the error in its 11th Edition of Administrative Map which designated San Bartholomew River as the boundary between the two states, instead of River Santa Barbara. The Counsel had submitted that the error occurred in the 11th Edition of the Administrative Map produced by the NBC in 2002. The NBC was said to have admitted its mistake in a letter dated July 3, 2002 in response to Rivers Government’s protest and had promised to rectify it in the 12th edition of the administrative map. The Rivers government was compelled to file a suit against the Attorney-General of Bayelsa and that of the federation at the Su...

By Obi Bright Chinweuba So much has been said about the leadership style of Hon. Obinna Onwubuariri, a young chap notable for his pragmatic leadership influence, unassuming to many, yet diatribed by some. His influence is likened to what Rosalyn Carter opined that a leader takes people where they want to go, but a great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be. From in-depth research and reasonable tallying of facts and figures, it was deduced abinitio that the biggest problem rocking the boat of most rural communities in Okigwe North Federal Constituency is the lack of power/energy/electrification to carry about their respective businesses. To eradicate this plague of darkness which primarily was amongst the campaign promises of Hon. Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri during his first sojourn at the National Assembly, facts available shows that he did justice to those campaign promises. In line with actualizing the connection of Okigwe north to the n...

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on Christians to sustain their prayers for the success of his administration and the development of the State. Speaking during the Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebration and Thanksgiving service of St Peter’s Anglican Church Rumuepirikom Deanery on Sunday, Governor Wike said the state is currently faced with enemies who do not mean well for it. He stated that the State will continue to thrive because of the prayers of committed Christians.  He said with prayers, Rivers State will prevail over her adversaries. “As Christians, I urge you to continue to pray for the state. The prayers of Christians are necessary for the State to remain victorious in the face of challenges “, he said. The Governor was represented at the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Saint Peter’s Anglican Church by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo. The Governor said that his administration will continue to support and defen...

The Nigerian Air force said on Monday that its Air Task prosecuting Operation Rattle Snake in the North East, at the weekend killed several ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists who had gathered at a meeting point in a building at Kollaram, Borno State. A statement by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said, “In continuation of Operation Rattle Snake, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole has neutralized some Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters as they assembled for a meeting at their hideout in Kollaram on the fringes of Lake Chad in the Northern part of Borno State. ” The operation was executed on 14 December 2019 following credible intelligence reports indicating that some of the ISWAP leaders had assembled for a meeting in one of 2 buildings at the centre of the settlement. “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets dispatched by the ATF to attack the location scored accurate hits on the target building completely obliterating it and killing its terrorists’ ...

 BY ENGR. DIKEOMA CHIBUEZE The success of any lawmaker in attracting goodies for his people at the National Assembly is highly dependent on the position of the member in any 'juicy' committee. This is because, almost all serious politicking at NASS is done at the committee level. For a member to be assigned a worthy position in a functional committee, the member needs to be a ranking member with networks of goodwill among the members of the house. Being assigned a worthy position in a functional committee means that the lawmaker will in no time influence jobs, road projects, healthcare and entrepreneurial support for his constituents, utilizing his influence in the committee. If truth be made manifest, of all the candidates contesting to represent Okigwe North in Federal House of Representatives, only one of them is ranked and is better positioned to have a large support network among members of the house. He is *Hon. (Engr) Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri, PDP Candidate. ...

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello said that the restriction placed on commercial tricycle operators to certain parts of the city was one of the most difficult decisions that the FCT administration had to make. Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, in a statement on Sunday, said Bello disclosed this during the presentation of the FCT’s 2020 statutory budget to the joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the The minister said that the decision was imperative because commercial tricycles by law should not operate on the express and highways along with vehicles as they pose dangers to both passengers and riders. According to Bello, most roads within the Federal Capital City, were expressways and thus could not accommodate the presence of the commercial tricycles and motorcycles. He, however, said that the FCTA was not unmindful of the challenges commuters were facing as a result of the policy, adding that strategies we...

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with a former governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, on his 70th birthday on Dec. 16. The president’s congratulatory message was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Sunday. Buhari said in the statement that he was joining the family, friends and associates of the former governor in celebrating the milestone. He particularly congratulated Ajimobi ”for his many years of outstanding achievements in both the private and public sectors, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in the places where he had been at the helm of affairs, especially in the insurance and oil sectors.” According to him, Ajimobi’s forthrightness, patriotism and passion in working for the good of the country and humanity will continue to stand him out as a resourceful manager, exemplary leader and patriot. The president also commended the former governor for his contributions to the nation’s d...

The  President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has been eulogised for his consistent efforts to  speak against the obvious marginalisation of Ndigbo by the Nigerian federation. Ndigbo Unity Assembly (NUA), in a statement yesterday in Enugu, in Enugu State, said they were particularly happy the way Chief Nwodo has continually spoken truth to power without mincing words. The Assembly said one of such was his recent letter to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police on the  numerous military/para-military and Police check points dotting the major Expressways leading to South East, especially between Lagos and Onitsha Expressway, where he alleged that there were at least 64 check points. Chief Nwodo in the letter according to the statement  signed by  spokesman,the check points were erected purposely  to extort Ndigbo who mostly ply the road on daily basis to  carry out their businesses. The Assembly called on ...